Speaker Denies Request To Have Phala Phala Report Vote By Secret Ballot

National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has rejected the African Transformation Movement's (ATM) request to hold the vote on the Phala Phala report by secret ballot, which means that lawmakers who dissent from their party line will have to publicly disclose it.

• "In her letter to the ATM President the Speaker said she believes that a closed voting procedure will deprive the citizens of identifying the positions of their representatives across party lines," notes a statement from Parliament.
• The ATM were hoping that holding a secret ballot could result in defections by some ANC lawmakers opposed to President Ramaphosa. Per the latest reports, all ANC MPs will likely be instructed to defend the President.